A federal judge has quashed Justice Department subpoenas issued to the Federal Reserve (Fed Chair Jerome Powell) in a significant blow to the investigation into the Fed. Judge James Boasberg stated that the purpose of the subpoenas was to pressure the Fed to reduce its key interest rate. This revelation led to Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, to block consideration of Trump's pick to replace Powell as Fed chair until his term expires in May. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said she would appeal the ruling, stating it was an "activist judge" and leaves Powell "bathed in immunity".